Cup-shaped primrose, prymula - Primula obconica
Until recently, it was one of the most widely grown potted plants. Currently, it has lost some popularity, probably for this reason, that there are chemicals in the hairs on the leaves, which causes an allergic rash in many people.
The leaves are oblong ovate, set on medium-long petioles, collected in a kind of rosette, between which stems grow, ending with an inflorescence-umbellate. After the first whorl of flowers has faded, the stem often grows larger and ends in the next.
The most commonly grown variety is Grandiflora, which has white colored flowers, and even blue (The giant coerulea), but with us, primulae with red flowers are mainly desired („Berliner Rot”).
Prymule, as already mentioned, They are mainly grown as houseplants, which are covered with profuse flowers for a long period of time.
Their inflorescences are sometimes used as basket material, . wreaths and bouquets.
Siew. Primroses are propagated by sowing seeds. The seeds are very fine, with a slightly wrinkled surface, brown-black. The wig is around 4 500 pcs. The germination power should not be less than 60%. The most appropriate time for sowing is February. In this case, the plants are ready for sale in the fall. We use mixture A for sowing( table). Do 1 we sow the boxes 0,5 g nasion, scattering them evenly over the surface. We do not cover them with earth, just cover with glass and shade with paper. We set sowing in a greenhouse with a temperature of 12-16 ° C and sprinkle it daily. They germinate after 2-3 weeks, then the cover is removed.
Quilting. When the seedlings develop 1-2 leaves, i.e.. more or less after 3 weeks, we quilt them into boxes filled with fresh soil, spaced apart 2 X 2,5 cm. One seed box is usually obtained 4 boxes with quilted seedlings. After a month, the plants are dived back into fresh soil at a distance of 4X5 cm (about 50-60 pcs. do 1 boxes). And in this case, you need one box to unpack the plants 4 boxes.
Potting. When the plants start to come into contact with the leaves, which will happen after approx 6 weeks (around the end of May) we plant them into pots with a diameter 8 cm (mixture A), which we then lower to half the height in an inspection box filled with peat. In 1 the window fits such pots 54.
Nursing in inspection. Sprinkle primroses on the first 7-10 days after transplanting 3, and even 4 times a day and keep the windows closed. After this period, the plants should start to grow normally, and then we gradually start airing.
Plants must be shaded in the hours from 10 do 15, sprinkled 2 times a day and watered as needed. In primroses, too abundantly watered, the roots rot easily, and the leaves turn yellow. In mid-July, primroses are transplanted for the last time into pots with a diameter of 11-12 cm and then 28 pcs. in the inspection window. It is recommended to remove very weak plants, although some practitioners think after 2 plants for one pot. The land is used richer (mixture B) with the addition of compost. It should be well distributed (at least 2 years old), and slightly acidic reaction (pH 5,6—6,0). In a neutral or alkaline soil, primrose leaves turn yellow, and their edges dry up. Similar symptoms occur if the soil is "young", that is, when organic compounds (caries) are not yet sufficiently distributed.
Further beauty treatments are based on this, that in August, if there is no prolonged rainfall, the inspection windows are completely removed.
Nurturing in a greenhouse. At the end of September, the plants are moved to a greenhouse with a temperature of 10-12 ° and placed there 16 pcs. and 1 m2 window sill. If the plants placed in the frames do not grow luxuriantly, it is recommended to feed them once a week with the following solution- 2 g of ammonium nitrate, 1 g 50% potassium sulfate and 2 g of superphosphate dissolved in 1 liter of water. This mixture can also be fertilized in a greenhouse. When fertilizing primroses, avoid calcium nitrate.
During the production period, the plants are reviewed, we remove the dead leaves and the first flowers that appear, and we move the shell formed on the surface of the earth.
In October, i.e.. po 9 months of cultivation, plants should already have well-developed inflorescences, therefore salable.